All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has backed Damian McKenzie and Fabian Holland to deliver in the Rugby Championship clash against South Africa on August 22, 2026, at Ellis Park. Both players have been named in the starting XV for the highly anticipated test.
Captain Ardie Savea, Will Jordan, and Cam Roigard will make their first appearances of the South African tour. Roigard (calf) and Jordan (back) missed the previous three tour matches due to injury, while Savea was rested for two weeks in New Zealand.
Rennie expressed confidence in McKenzie's ability to control the game from fullback, while Holland, a young lock, gets a chance to prove himself against the physical Springboks pack. The team is focused on improving their performance after a mixed tour so far.
The Springboks, meanwhile, are expected to field a strong side as they look to secure the Rugby Championship title. The match is set to be a fierce contest, with both teams eager to assert dominance.
